Watering warning device

Abstract

A watering warning device ( 1 ) for determining watering intervals for at least one plant to be monitored, having at least one moisture content sensor ( 2 ), a timer ( 6 ) and an evaluation unit ( 3 ) is described. The evaluation unit ( 3 ) is designed for determining the time (t G ) of the next necessary watering operation for the at least one monitored plant in dependence on a characteristic watering curve (S) over time (t), the watering curve (S) being determinable in a self-learning manner in at least one learning phase from a low moisture value (FG N ), measured at a watering time, the high moisture value (FG H ), measured after completion of the watering operation following the watering time, and the time (t N ) until the low moisture value (FG N ) is reached, determined with the timer ( 6 ) or extrapolated.

1. A watering warning device for determining watering intervals for at least one monitored plant, comprising
 at least one moisture content sensor; 
 a timer; and 
 an evaluation unit determining a time of a next necessary watering operation for at least one monitored plant in dependence on a characteristic watering curve over time, the watering curve being determinable in a self-learning manner in at least one learning phase from
 a low moisture value, measured at a watering time, 
 a high moisture value, measured after completion of the watering operation following said time of a next necessary watering operation, and 
 a time until a low moisture value is reached. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the evaluation unit for sensing ambient temperature, the evaluation unit determining a time for a next necessary watering operation in dependence on measured ambient temperature as a correction factor. 
   
   
     3. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an atmospheric moisture sensor sensing ambient atmospheric moisture coupled to the evaluation unit, said evaluation unit determining a time for a next necessary watering operation in dependence on measured atmospheric moisture as a correction factor. 
   
   
     4. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , said evaluation unit determining a time for a next necessary watering operation in dependence on time of year as a correction factor. 
   
   
     5. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , said evaluation unit determining a time for a next necessary watering operation in dependence on plant growth. 
   
   
     6. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , said evaluation unit activating a water pump for an automatic watering operation. 
   
   
     7. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a radio transmitter connected to the evaluation unit for communicating with a corresponding radio receiver of an independent spatially separate indicating unit with 
 a display indicating when a next watering operation is necessary, 
 said evaluation unit transmitting a code number for said radio transmitter and a time for said next watering operation. 
 
   
   
     8. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one moisture content sensor spatially separate from said evaluation unit,
 said at least one moisture content sensor being connected to a radio transmitter and 
 said evaluation unit being connected to a radio receiver, 
 said radio transmitter transmitting to said radio receiver at least one of the measured moisture content and a code number for the moisture content sensor. 
 
   
   
     9. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm connected to the evaluation unit, said alarm being triggered after when a watering interval has elapsed. 
   
   
     10. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said alarm comprises an optical alarm signaling device. 
   
   
     11. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said alarm comprises an acoustic alarm signaling device. 
   
   
     12. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a display and wherein said evaluation unit is connected to said display and indicates a time of a next necessary watering operation. 
   
   
     13. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said display indicates said time of a next necessary watering operation by one or a plurality of date, day of the week, and time of day for said next necessary watering operation. 
   
   
     14. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said display indicates said time of a next necessary watering operation by indicating an amount of time until said next necessary watering operation. 
   
   
     15. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 14 , said amount of time is indicated by a number representing one or a plurality of remaining days and remaining hours until said next necessary watering operation. 
   
   
     16. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 14 , said amount of time is indicated by one or a plurality of a bar chart and a percentage value. 
   
   
     17. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timer determines a period of time until a low moisture value is reached. 
   
   
     18. The watering warning device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said evaluation unit determines a period of time until a low moisture value is reached by extrapolation from said characteristic watering curve.